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Write what you know Premium Content

By Kris Berg, Tuesday, September 30, 2008.

My writing tends to have a read-between-the-lines style. Many get it, and I was reminded recently that some don't. So today I will be as clear as a San Diego/Santa Ana day. This is about journalism and its many flavors, be it citizen blogger or professionally trained student of the medium. It is about authority and responsibility, and about how the two don't always coexist.

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Termite damage a nightmare to fix

By Bill and Kevin Burnett, Tuesday, September 30, 2008.

Q: I had a termite inspection done on my home. Now I must find a reputable contractor to do the work. The work to be done is extensive, and I feel it will be costly. The termites have damaged the rim joist, mudsill and subfloor in the subarea. Termite evidence was also noted in the subarea that appears to extend into inaccessible areas and should be treated.

I would appreciate any help that you can give me, as I have no idea where to start.  more...

Can lender challenge loan data after closing?

By Tom Kelly, Tuesday, September 30, 2008.

The mortgage meltdown has brought a return to the process of proper verification of a borrower's assets. But just how long is the information stated on your home-loan application considered valid? If you retire or lose your job after your loan closes, can the lender demand payment in full?

Those questions, and others like them, were raised recently by a longtime nurse whose lender demanded that a "reverification form" be signed at closing. She was especially concerned because she had already given financial information -- bank deposits, stocks, income -- at the time of application.  more...

Sucking on a Real Estate 'Binky'

By Marc Davison, Tuesday, September 30, 2008.

Flight 168 touched down at 2 a.m., many hours past the time printed on my boarding pass. There's no do-over. No "fly the next time on us" hookup. The airlines dish out bad times and we accept it.

I sat in the middle seat, wedged like a cold cut between two oversized slices of human bread. Each time I leaned forward I had to dislodge myself between two doughy arms on either side that encroached upon my space over the armrests.  more...

Sellers: Don't blame us for wall rot

By Barry Stone, Monday, September 29, 2008.

DEAR BARRY: We sold our house a few months ago and signed a disclosure statement that said no water problems existed. But the new owners found carpenter ants in a closet, which led them to rip off the drywall and remove the hardwood flooring. What they found was rot in the wall. No one could have known about this rot, but the new owners say we should have seen water stains on the subfloor when we installed the hardwood flooring last year. We don't recall any stains or we would have disclosed them.  more...

Mastering referrals: Part 2 Premium Content

By Alison Rogers, Sunday, September 28, 2008.

ROOKIE: Last week you talked about asking your closest sphere for help, marketing to other agents, and how to handle a less-than-top-quality referral. Will you share some of your database secrets? How big are your spheres?

CHRISNER: As far as my personal sphere, I have a tiered system: an "A" is someone I've done a transaction with who has referred me or attempted to refer me. There are 63 of those. A "B" is someone who I think would refer me, but the right opportunity hasn't come yet. I've got 79 of those. Then there's the Cs -- hundreds of people who I have relationships with, who know me and recognize my name ...  more...

When is it safe to destroy mortgage papers?

By Benny Kass, Sunday, September 28, 2008.

DEAR BENNY: We have owned our home since 1998 and have refinanced twice since that time. I still have the original mortgage papers along with the twice-refinanced papers. I am afraid to throw anything out but they are quite bulky and take up a lot of room. Do I really need to keep all three or can I toss the original papers when we bought the home and the second refinance papers and just keep the most recent refinance mortgage papers? --Ann  more...

Economists differ on housing recovery

By Dian Hymer, Sunday, September 28, 2008.

Opinions differ as to when the housing market will turn around. Most analysts think that we have not yet hit bottom. Some think we might be close. One of the keys to the puzzle is the state of the housing inventory.

In May, there was a 10.8-month supply of homes for sale at the current sales pace, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR). This was a move down from an 11.2-month supply in April. When the supply reaches the six- to seven-month level, the housing market should pick up, barring a major recession or a big jump in inflation or interest rates.  more...

Some borrowers get more aid than others

By Jack Guttentag, Sunday, September 28, 2008.

"Is it true that mortgage servicers will not help borrowers in trouble until they stop making their payments? I am a home retention counselor and I keep hearing from people referred to me that they have received no response from their servicer because they have not yet missed a payment. I would hate to advise people that they have to stop paying if they expect to get any help if it is not true."  more...

Bailout incites 'grassroots rage'

By Lou Barnes, Friday, September 26, 2008.

Mortgage rates are unchanged, about 6.125 percent, just one aspect of completely frozen credit markets, hostage to a political moment without parallel.

The real economy is tipping over: New claims for unemployment insurance last week jumped to 493,000 from the 450,000 range. Orders for durable goods in August plunged 4.5 percent, double the forecast decline, and sales of new homes free-fell 11 percent.  more...

Central heating's come a long way

By Arrol Gellner, Thursday, September 25, 2008.

Nowadays, when you're feeling chilly, you just nudge your thermostat up a few degrees. Not too long ago, you'd have been in for a lot more effort: Until the 1880s, most American houses were still heated by an open fire.  more...

Top ways to boost curb appeal

By Paul Bianchina, Thursday, September 25, 2008.

You've no doubt heard the term "curb appeal," which is the first impression that your home makes when a visitor arrives. Whether you have your home up for sale or just want things to look a little nicer when you or someone else pulls up out in front, the best place to start is by giving the front of your home a critical examination.

Driveway: A driveway, by necessity, tends to be a fairly dominant feature, and it is often one of the first things that a person sees when they arrive at your home.  more...

Premium service deserves premium pay Premium Content

By Bernice Ross, Thursday, September 25, 2008.

According to Consumer Reports, 67 percent of agents will reduce their commission simply because the seller asks them to do so. Do you know what to do to earn the full fee you deserve?

Last week's article looked at five strategies to earn a full commission. The key point is to focus on value rather than price. After the sellers hear about the wide variety of services that you provide, they may still test you to see whether you'll lower your fee.  more...

Office space and the 'floor time' continuum

By Teresa Boardman, Wednesday, September 24, 2008.

In some real estate offices they have "floor time": Agents sit in the office and answer phone calls from consumers who want information about for-sale homes. I think floor time is a good idea, but it may need a few tweaks.

In the Twin Cities area the bigger brokerages have closed some of their offices and combined offices to cut costs. Most agents choose offices that are close to home, but with fewer offices to choose from some will have to go further.  more...

Landlord, I'm baaaaaaaaaack!

By Robert Griswold, Wednesday, September 24, 2008.

Q: I lived at an apartment community for many years, but my lease was not renewed because I was falsely accused of breaching my lease. I have found another rental home that is OK, but I miss my neighbors and regret that I had to move. Recently in a casual conversation with my new landlord I was surprised to learn that my prior landlord actually gave me a good reference. I would really rather live at my original community with all my friends. It was only a verbal reference, but can I use that positive referral and go back to the prior apartment community?  more...

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